The Initial '08-'09 Hoops Trap 10.

[hatvol96]

Realizing that academics, defections, and summer shenanigans will inevitably impact some of these teams, here is the first Halfcourt Trap Top 10 for the '08-'09 season:

1. Pitt. Jamie Dixon's most talented squad will be tough enough to survive the meat grinder in the Big East and bring the trophy to the Steel City.
2. North Carolina. By far the most talented team in the country. However, their playing with both hands firmly placed around their throats against Georgetown and Kansas in the last two NCAA tourneys tells me there is a lack of testicular fortitiude on that squad.
3. Louisville. Had they played UNC in any of the other 49 states in the regional final, they would have been in the Final Four last season. Pitino will not have to worry about playing on someone else's court on the regionals this year.
4. Arizona State. From the NIT to the Final Four. Herb Sendek will lead Pendergraph and Harden to college basketball's promised land.
5. UCONN. Jim Calhoun doesn't stay out of the spotlight for long. The Huskies will be deep and talented. That recipe has won them two National Championships.
6. Michigan State. Tom Izzo is due for another deep tourney run. He now has the horses to do so.
7. Villanova. Guards win in college basketball. Nobody has a more explosive backcourt at their disposal than Jay Wright.
8. UCLA. Despite their early defections to the NBA, the Bruins will be just fine. Ben Howland will never allow them to fall far.
9. Memphis. Another program that will weather their personnel losses just fine. Cal has enough talent at his disposal to make a run at a fourth straight Elite 8.
10. Tennessee. The Vols will put the most physically talented team in program history on the floor. Experience and point guard play are the only question marks that keep them out of the top 5.

[UTLCA]

Wow you are certainly fearless, I'll give you that.

[jakez4ut]

i would love to hear NCSU fans around here should Herb make it to the f4 with ASU.

that would be hilarious......they couldn't wait to run him out of town.

[myrobbins7]

Thanks Hat you are the man, good stuff.

[Fine Vol]

HAT Luke Harengody (sp) and the Irish, final four talent?

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by jakez4ut

i would love to hear NCSU fans around here should Herb make it to the f4 with ASU.

that would be hilarious......they couldn't wait to run him out of town.

Yeah, Sidney Lowe was a huge upgrade. To quote the American Philosophers Cinderella, "Don't know what you've got til it's gone."

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by Fine Vol

HAT Luke Harengody (sp) and the Irish, final four talent?

They'll be good. I just don't think they have enough quickness to make a deep tournament run.

[Fine Vol]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

They'll be good. I just don't think they have enough quickness to make a deep tournament run.

They sure seem to have the size but you need speed.

[thunder5]

Hat....you're the man...but you've got 1 and 2 backwards...

UNC/G'Town 07...I think you saw a team with 3 freshman in the lineup getting outclassed by a talented and experienced team...

UNC/Kansas 08 was defintely a choke job....but I also think it will be one of the main reasons they win it all this year...

UNC is so talented, deep and experienced this year...and the rest of the field is so far behind....at this point I don't see anyone that can keep up

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by blamie

Hat....you're the man...but you've got 1 and 2 backwards...

UNC/G'Town 07...I think you saw a team with 3 freshman in the lineup getting outclassed by a talented and experienced team...

UNC/Kansas 08 was defintely a choke job....but I also think it will be one of the main reasons they win it all this year...

UNC is so talented, deep and experienced this year...and the rest of the field is so far behind....at this point I don't see anyone that can keep up

Chokers choke in big games. It's what they do.

[myrobbins7]

Hat, I know it's early, very early, but with your knowledge who do you see in the FF next season. TIA.

[Venomous Vol]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

10. Tennessee. The Vols will put the most physically talented team in program history on the floor. Experience and point guard play are the only question marks that keep them out of the top 5.

Go ahead and put them in the top 7 Hat. Bobby Maze is "The Solution". Ask anyone who went to the RTL, this kid is awesome at finishing in traffic and has a decent midrange and outside game. He is quick on quick and a tenacious defender. On top of that West looks like he will be a servicable back up.

[jakez4ut]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

Yeah, Sidney Lowe was a huge upgrade. To quote the American Philosophers Cinderella, "Don't know what you've got til it's gone."

you got that right.....they are all learning a valuable lesson, and have since turned their venom to the AD........who succumbed to their pressure.......it's very funny.

NCSU fans are Bammers with out the history.

[UTLCA]

Originally Posted by Venomous Vol

Go ahead and put them in the top 7 Hat. Bobby Maze is "The Solution". Ask anyone who went to the RTL, this kid is awesome at finishing in traffic and has a decent midrange and outside game. He is quick on quick and a tenacious defender. On top of that West looks like he will be a servicable back up.

Jordan Howell looked like that last year too...

[Griffmann]

I'd be interested to hear your opinion on Bobby Maze if you were able to see him at the RTL this year.